This undated photo provided by Ford shows the 2014 Ford F-150 STX SuperCrew truck. Americans are paying record prices for new cars and trucks, and they have only themselves to blame. The average sale price of a vehicle in the U.S. hit $31,252 last month, up almost $1,000 over the same time last year, a sharp increase driven by consumers loading cars up with high-end stereos, navigation systems, leather seats and safety gadgets. Many in the business think prices will moderate some because people who kept their cars through the recession and haven’t replaced them yet won’t load up on options. Ford will try to please them this fall by adding a four-door cab to its F-150 STX line. Previously, the STX only came with a two-door cab. (AP Photo/Ford)

DETROIT (AP) — Americans are paying record prices for new cars and trucks, and they have only themselves to blame.

The average sale price of a vehicle in the U.S. hit $31,252 last month, up almost $1,000 over the same time last year. The sharp increase has been driven by consumers loading cars up with high-end stereos, navigation systems, leather seats and safety gadgets.

It’s a buying pattern that began around two years ago with low interest rates that let buyers choose pricier cars while keeping monthly payments in check. And automakers have also offered cheap lease deals that include fancy options.

Add in booming sales of expensive pickup trucks, and you get record high prices.

But those conditions could soon change. Although sales are expected to keep rising, automakers say the next wave of buyers who replace older cars will be more cost-conscious, shunning expensive radios and cushy seats to reduce payments. Ford is starting to see that trend in pickup trucks, and is adding a lower-priced model to its top-selling F-Series line.